Brima "Bazzy" Kamara Indicted; Two Suspects Detained

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Special Court for Sierra Leone The Office of the Prosecutor PRESS RELEASE Freetown, Sierra Leone, 29 May 2003 Brima "Bazzy" Kamara Indicted; Two Suspects Detained This afternoon, the Deputy Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Desmond de Silva, QC, announced the indictment of Brima "Bazzy" Kamara, a former senior commander of both the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the West Side Boys. "The people of Sierra Leone can rest easier knowing that this man will face the Special Court. Wearing a military uniform does not give you permission to direct violations of international humanitarian law. We are holding to account senior members of the AFRC as we continue to move forward expeditiously in executing our mandate." Kamara was taken into custody two days ago and has been indicted for bearing greatest responsibility for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law. The indictment was confirmed by Judge Pierre Boutet. Kamara will make his initial appearance before the Court next week. Two others, Moinina Fofana and Allieu Kondewa, have been provisionally detained under a court rule that allows suspects to be held for up to 30 days before being formally charged. Both individuals are affiliated with the former Civil Defence Forces. To date, the Court has indicted nine individuals: Foday Sankoh, Issa Sessay, Sam Bockarie, Morris Kallon, Augustine Gbao, Johnny Paul Koroma, Alex Tamba Brima, Brima Bazzy Kamara, and Samuel Hinga Norman. Seven of those individuals are in custody. The Court's Chief of Investigations, Dr. Alan White, again called on Charles Taylor to deliver international fugitive Johnny Paul Koroma alive to the Court. "We've got Bazzy. We want Koroma. The AFRC must answer for what they did to this country." The Special Court, created through an international agreement between the United Nations and Sierra Leone, is mandated to try those who bear "the greatest responsibility" for atrocities committed during the country's decade-long civil war. #END INFORMATION FOR MEDIA - NOT FOR ADVERTISING .

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AFRC Trial Transcript
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AFRC Trial Transcript
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